CN116455082A

CN116455082A - Controlling feeder units for self-restoration of power

Info

Publication number: CN116455082A
Application number: CN202310546552.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 哈马德·艾哈迈德·坎; 凯·郝
Original assignee: Google LLC
Current assignee: Google LLC
Priority date: 2022-12-14
Filing date: 2023-05-15
Publication date: 2023-07-18
Also published as: EP4387032A1; US20240204517A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to controlling a feeder unit for self-restoration of power. A power system architecture for controlling self-healing operation of N feeder units is generally disclosed herein. When a loss of power occurs, the power system architecture can automatically restore power to all feeder units by reconfiguring the state of the feeder unit circuit breakers. The power system architecture may also automatically reconfigure and restore power by opening and closing feeder unit breakers when power is lost back. The power system architecture may further automatically reconfigure and restore power for as many feeder units as possible in the event of abnormal conditions such as fault scenarios, circuit breaker faults, operational faults, and relay faults.

Description

Controlling feeder units for self-restoration of power

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to controlling a feeder unit for self-restoration of power.

Background

The power distribution system is part of a power system architecture that distributes power. Typically, power distribution systems include substations, feeders, switches, electrical loads, control systems, and devices. The feeder units (fdus) may be switching devices for distributing power to different loads, such as devices or smaller circuits.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to a power system architecture that is capable of self-healing operation of N daisy-chained feeder units connected to power sources on each end of a chain. When one of the two power sources loses power, the power system architecture may automatically restore power to some or all of the fdus by opening and closing the FdU circuit breakers to connect healthy power sources. The power system architecture may also reconfigure the state of the FdU circuit breakers and automatically restore power by opening and closing the FdU circuit breakers when lost power returns. When a fault scenario, breaker failure, operation failure, relay failure, etc., occurs, the power system architecture may further reconfigure the state of the FdU breaker and automatically restore power to any number of fdus. Additionally, when an action is taken that does not improve the operation of the system, such as when both power sources cease to supply power, the power system architecture may determine that no action is taken, as described herein.

One aspect of the present technology relates to a power system architecture comprising: a plurality of feeder units connected together in a daisy chain, each of the plurality of feeder units comprising a voltage bus, two or more circuit breakers and a feeder unit controller; and a common bus communicatively connecting the feeder unit controllers together, wherein each of the feeder unit controllers is connected to the common bus via one or more communication lines, wherein each of the feeder unit controllers is configured to control operation of the two or more circuit breakers in the feeder units including the respective feeder unit controller.

In some examples, the plurality of feeder units comprises: a first feeder unit connected to a first power supply at a first end of the daisy chain; a second feeder unit connected to a second power supply at a second end of the daisy chain; and one or more internal feeder units located between the first feeder unit and the second feeder unit, wherein each of the one or more internal feeder units is connected to an immediately adjacent feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units.

In some examples, the power system architecture further includes the first power source and the second power source.

In some examples, each feeder unit controller of the plurality of feeder units is connected to a feeder unit controller of an immediately adjacent feeder unit via one or more status communication lines.

In some examples, each feeder unit controller is configured to provide status information indicative of an operational status of the respective feeder unit controller via the one or more status communication lines.

In some examples, for each feeder unit, a first circuit breaker of the two or more circuit breakers is connected to a first side of the voltage bus and a second circuit breaker of the two or more circuit breakers is connected to a second side of the voltage bus.

In some examples, each feeder unit includes a voltage sensor configured to sense a voltage on the voltage bus of the respective feeder unit.

In some examples, the first feeder unit includes a line sensor configured to detect a voltage on a line connecting the first power source to the first feeder unit.

In some examples, the second feeder unit includes a line sensor configured to detect a voltage on a line connecting the second power source to the second feeder unit.

In some examples, each of the feeder unit controllers is configured to control the operation of the two or more circuit breakers of its respective feeder unit by initiating opening or closing of at least one of the two or more circuit breakers.

In some examples, the power system architecture is operating abnormally when the first feeder unit fails to detect power from the first power source and/or the second feeder unit fails to detect power from the second power source.

In some examples, in normal operation, a single circuit breaker is assigned as a primary open point circuit breaker by the feeder unit controller of the feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker.

In some examples, the feeder unit controller of the feeder unit with the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to send a shared signal on the common bus indicating that the primary open point circuit breaker is ready to close.

In some examples, each of the feeder unit controllers is configured to send a shared signal on the common bus indicating when one of the two or more circuit breakers within the respective feeder unit is open, in addition to the feeder unit controller sending the shared signal indicating that the primary open point circuit breaker is ready to close.

In some examples, the feeder unit controller of the feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to detect the shared signal on the common bus indicating when one of the two or more circuit breakers within the respective feeder unit is open.

In some examples, the feeder unit controller of the feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to initiate closing of the primary open point circuit breaker upon detecting the shared signal indicating when one of the two or more circuit breakers within the respective feeder unit is open.

In some examples, the feeder unit controller of the feeder unit with the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to send a shared signal on the common bus indicating that the primary open point circuit breaker is not ready to close or has closed.

In some examples, the feeder unit controller of the feeder unit with the open circuit breaker is configured to assign the open circuit breaker as a primary open point breaker upon detecting the shared signal indicating that the primary open point breaker is not ready to close or has closed.

In some examples, the plurality of feeder units may operate in a manual or automatic mode.

In some examples, the plurality of feeder units operate independently.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a block diagram of an example power system architecture according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1B is a block diagram of an example network system for communication between feeder unit controllers in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1C is a block diagram of an example hardwired communication interface between feeder unit controllers according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an example power system architecture with a primary open point circuit breaker in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates operation of a power system architecture when a single power source is not available in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates operation of the power system architecture when making a preferred open point selection, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates operation of a power system architecture when two power sources are not available in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 illustrates operation of a power system architecture when power is returned according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates operation of a power system architecture when a cable fault occurs between a power source and a feeder unit, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 illustrates operation of a power system architecture when a cable fault occurs between feeder units in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 illustrates operation of a power system architecture when a cable fault occurs between feeder units involving a primary open point, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 illustrates operation of the power system architecture when a bus failure occurs, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 illustrates operation of a power system architecture when a circuit breaker fails to open, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 illustrates another example of operation of the power system architecture when a circuit breaker fails to open, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 illustrates operation of the power system architecture when a circuit breaker fails to close, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 illustrates operation of the power system architecture when a feeder unit controller fails, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 illustrates operation of the power system architecture when the feeder unit controller is in manual mode and a single power source is not available, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16 illustrates operation of the power system architecture when a circuit breaker is opened in manual mode, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 17 illustrates an operation of selecting a primary open point in a manual mode in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Disclosed herein is generally a power system architecture and corresponding logic for a self-healing capable feeder unit. When a loss of power occurs, the power system architecture can automatically restore power to all feeder units by reconfiguring the state of the FdU circuit breakers. The power system architecture may designate a circuit breaker that remains open to avoid connecting two or more independent power sources in parallel under normal operation as a primary open point circuit breaker.

As shown in fig. 1A, the power system architecture 100 may have four fdus forming an FdU loop, including FdU 130, fdU 140, fdU 150, and FdU 160. The first FdU and the last FdU of the FdU loop may be connected to a power source. For example, as further shown in FIG. 1A, the first FdU 130 is connected to power supply A110, and the last FdU 160 is connected to power supply B120. In other examples, the FdU loop may include any number of fdus in the loop, from one FdU to "N" fdus in the loop.

Each FdU may include a feeder unit controller (FdU-C) and three or more circuit breakers or disconnectors. For clarity and consistency, the term circuit breaker as used herein will be understood to refer to a circuit breaker or disconnector unless otherwise indicated. For example, a preferred open point circuit breaker may refer to a circuit breaker or a disconnector as a preferred open point. Similarly, a primary open point circuit breaker may refer to a circuit breaker or disconnector as a primary open point.

For example, as further shown in FIG. 1A, fdU 130 includes FdU-C131, breaker CB 132, breaker CB 134 and breaker CB 136, fdU 140 includes FdU-C141, breaker CB 142, breaker CB 144 and breaker CB 146, fdU 150 includes FdU-C151, breaker CB 152, breaker CB 154 and breaker CB 156, and FdU 160 includes FdU-C161, breaker CB 162, breaker CB 164 and breaker CB 166. Each FdU can communicate with other fdus via FdU-C.

One of the circuit breakers within each FdU may be connected to a feeder circuit or another such load to supply power to the load. For example, circuit breaker CB 134 is connected to feeder circuit 138, circuit breaker CB 144 is connected to feeder circuit 148, circuit breaker CB 154 is connected to feeder circuit 158, and circuit breaker CB 164 is connected to feeder circuit 168.

Additionally, sensors (including line and busbar sensors) may be included in the FdU. In this regard, the first and last fdus may include or otherwise be connected to line sensors to detect the presence or absence of a voltage received from a power source. For example, the first FdU 130 includes a line sensor (illustrated as line sensor 112) to detect the presence or absence of a voltage received on line 111 from power supply a 110, line 111 may be considered a power line. FdU 160 includes a line sensor (illustrated as line sensor 114) to detect the presence or absence of a voltage received on line 121 from power supply B120, line 121 may be considered a power line. In some examples, other fdus besides the end FdU of the loop may also include line sensors. The FdU may include a bus bar sensor to detect a voltage (or lack thereof) on a bus bar of the FdU. For example, fdU 130 includes bus bar sensor 139 configured to detect a voltage on bus bar 193, fdU 140 includes bus bar sensor 149 configured to detect a voltage on bus bar 194, fdU 150 includes bus bar sensor 159 configured to detect a voltage on bus bar 195, and FdU 160 includes bus bar sensor 169 configured to detect a voltage on bus bar 196. In some examples, the line and bus sensors may detect current instead of or in addition to voltage.

Each bus 193, 194, 195, 196 may be a voltage bus configured to provide a voltage received from a power source or other FdU to an assembly of fdus located within the bus. For example, bus 193 may provide a voltage received from power supply A110 via line 111 to a component within FdU130, such as FdU-C131. Bus 193 may also provide the voltage received from power source a to FdU140 through a connection with connection line 113 via circuit breaker CB 136. The connection line 113 may provide the voltage received from the bus 193 to the bus 194 of the FdU140 through the circuit breaker CB 142. Alternatively, the connection line 113 may provide the FdU130 with the voltage received from the bus 194 through the circuit breaker CB 142. Connection 115 may provide a voltage between fdus 140 and 150, while connection 116 may provide a voltage between fdus 150 and 160. Similarly, bus 196 of FdU 160 can provide voltages received from power supply B120 via connection 121 to components within FdU 160 via other connections and buses.

The wiring and bus layout of the power system architecture 100 is only one example of a potential layout for wiring and bus layout in a power system architecture. In this regard, the power system architecture may include any number of lines and buses, including intermediate buses and lines. For example, line 111 may include multiple intermediate lines such that power delivered from power supply a traverses more than a single line before reaching FdU 130. In another example, although the bus bar 193 is illustrated as a single bus bar, the bus bar 193 may include two or more bus bars.

Fig. 1B depicts a block diagram of an example network system for communication between feeder unit controllers. In this example, fdU-C131 may include a communication interface 133, a monitoring unit 135, and a control unit 137. FdU-C141 may include a communication interface 143, a monitoring unit 145, and a control unit 147. FdU-C151 may include a communication interface 153, a monitoring unit 155, and a control unit 157. FdU-C161 may include a communication interface 163, a monitoring unit 165, and a control unit 167.

Each of the communication interfaces 133, 143, 153, and 163 may be capable of directly and indirectly communicating with each other through the network 170. The network 170 may include various configurations and protocols including the Internet, the world Wide Web, an intranet, a virtual private network, a wide area network, a local area network, a private network using a communication protocol, point-to-point communications, or International standards defining a communication protocol, hard-wired, ethernet, wiFi and RPC, HTTP, and various combinations of the foregoing.

Each FdU-C may include a control unit 137, 147, 157, and 167, respectively. Each control unit may contain a processor, memory, and other components typically found in computing devices. The memory is capable of storing information accessible by the processor, including instructions capable of being executed by the processor. The memory can include data that can be retrieved, manipulated, or stored by the processor. The memory may be a non-transitory computer readable medium capable of storing information accessible by the processor, such as a hard disk drive, solid state drive, tape drive, optical memory, memory card, ROM, RAM, DVD, CD-ROM, write cable, and read-only memory.

Each FdU-C may have a monitoring unit. The monitoring units 135, 145, 155, and 165 may monitor the voltage on the bus or power lines (e.g., 111, 121) to detect power loss, breaker failure, FU-C failure, or other such event that may cause a voltage change to occur. In this regard, the monitoring units 135, 145, 155, 165 may monitor the sensors of the FU. For example, the monitoring unit 135 may monitor the line sensor 112 for a voltage on the power line 111 and the bus sensor 139 for a voltage on the bus 193. Monitoring units 145 and 155 may monitor bus bar sensors 149 and 159 for voltages on bus bars 194 and 195, respectively. The monitoring unit 165 may monitor the line sensor 114 for a voltage on the power line 121 and the bus sensor 169 for a voltage on the bus 196.

Fig. 1C depicts a block diagram of an example hardwired connection between feeder unit controllers 131, 141, 151, 161 via common bus 180 and communication lines 181-184. The common bus 180 may relay information referred to herein as "shared signals" from one FdU-C to the other FdU-C of the power system architecture 100. The shared signal may include whether the FdU has an open point, whether the primary open point circuit breaker is ready to close, whether the primary open point circuit breaker fails to close, whether a voltage is present in the loop, and a recovery signal, as described herein. Although the common bus 180 is illustrated as a single line, the common bus 180 may include separate lines for each shared signal.

Each FdU-C131, 141, 151, and 161 can provide a shared signal to common bus 180 via a communication line (such as communication lines 181-184). As shown, each FdU-C may have a communication line between "1" and "n", where "n" depends on the number of shared signals transmitted and received by the FdU-C. In this regard, each FdU-C may include separate communication lines for each shared signal, with some shared signals having separate communication lines for shared signal reception and transmission. For example, fdU-C131 may have communication lines for transmitting whether FdU 130 has an open point, whether FdU 130 has a primary open point circuit breaker ready to close, whether FdU 130 has a primary open point circuit breaker that fails to close, whether FdU 130 has a voltage present in the loop, and a recovery signal.

Each FdU-C131, 141, 151, and 161 can examine information provided by other FdU-Cs, such as by examining shared signals provided by other FUs-C carried on common bus 180. For example, fdU-C131 can receive data indicating whether another FdU-C (such as FdU-C141, 151, and/or 161) is sensing voltage (or, in some examples, current) in normal operation via the bus bar sensor. In some examples, fdU-C may use more than two lines to send information to common bus 180 and to receive information from common bus 180.

Each FdU-C may also transmit and receive status information of other FdU-cs via the status lines that pair the FdU-cs. In this regard, and as shown, each FdU-C may be directly connected to an adjacent FdU-C via a status line, fdU-C131 is connected to FdU-C141 via a status line 185, fdU-C141 is connected to FdU-C151 via a status line 186, and FdU-C151 is connected to FdU-C161 via a status line 187. The status information may indicate whether the paired neighboring FdU-C is operating under normal conditions. For example, fdU-C161 may receive information via status communication line 187 as to whether FdU-C151 is operating under normal conditions. In one example, the status information may be a high signal indicating that FdU-C is operating normally, and a low signal (or no signal) indicating that FdU-C is operating abnormally.

Fig. 2 depicts a power system architecture 100 operating under normal conditions and configured with self-healing logic, as described herein. As shown, fdU 140 is initially designated as a primary FdU (primary FdU), as indicated by dashed box 210. The primary FdU may be one having a circuit breaker that remains open under normal conditions (referred to herein as an "open point") to provide a disconnection between two power sources. For example, the circuit breaker CB 146 within the primary FdU 140 is selected to provide an open point of disconnection (shown by the dashed line) between the power source a 110 and the power source B120. The open point circuit breaker within the primary FdU may be designated as a primary open point circuit breaker. In operation, the voltage provided by power supply a 110 may be transmitted or otherwise provided to FdU 130 via power line 111. Bus 193 may carry the voltage to connection 113, which connection 113 may in turn provide the voltage to FdU 140. Since the circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker, the circuit breaker CB 146 may open such that the voltage from the bus 194 provided by the power source a 110 cannot be transferred to the connection line 115. Meanwhile, the voltage provided by power supply B121 may be transmitted or otherwise provided to FdU 160 via power line 121. Bus 196 may carry the voltage to connection line 116, which connection line 116 may in turn provide the voltage to FdU 150. The bus 195 may transfer the voltage to the connection line 115 connected to the circuit breaker CB 146. Since the circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker and is open, the voltage from the connection line 115 provided by the power supply B121 cannot be transferred to the bus bar 194.

Normal conditions may include any situation where the FdU and power supply operate without a fault or interruption. The initial primary FdU may be programmed into the power system architecture or may be manually selected.

During operation, the power system architecture 100 may perform control checks to ensure that the power system architecture 100 is operating properly. In the event that the power system architecture 100 is not operating under normal conditions, self-healing operations may be performed, as described herein. The control check may include determining, based on the shared signal and the status information, whether the following condition is satisfied: (1) A primary open point circuit breaker exists in the power system architecture; (2) The condition of the components (e.g., interlock, spring, etc.) of the primary open point circuit breaker operates under normal conditions; and (3) a voltage is present in at least one of the FdU loop and the power sources (power source a 110 and power source B120).

When one of the above conditions is not met or other conditions described herein are met or not met, the power system architecture 100 may execute a self-healing control scheme. Various examples of self-healing logic that can be implemented by the power system architecture in different scenarios are described in more detail below.

Lost bill power supply

Fig. 3 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 300 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a single power source is not available. In the example shown in fig. 3, the power system architecture 300 loses the power supply a 110, such as due to a power supply a failure or the power system architecture 300 disconnects from the power supply a 110. The loss of power supply a 110 is illustrated by the shading of power supply a 110. In normal operation, fdus 130 and 140 receive power from power supply a 110, and fdus 150 and 160 receive power from power supply B120.

As originally configured, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point. As described in more detail herein, the recovery point may be a circuit breaker that becomes a primary open point circuit breaker when a recovery signal is detected. In this regard, when a restoration signal is detected, such as by FdU-C141, the circuit breaker CB 146 as the restoration point may be first assigned as the preferred open point. When the circuit breaker CB 146 opens and it is the only open point and its circuit breaker interlock is healthy, then the circuit breaker CB 146 may automatically become the primary open point.

After the loss of power supply A110, fdU-C131 may detect the loss of power based on its bus bar sensor. For example, bus bar sensor 139 may detect a loss of voltage (or current) on bus bar 193 because power from power supply a 110 is no longer received. FdU-C131 may determine that no power is available on bus 193 based on the signal provided by bus sensor 139. In response to detecting a loss of power, fdU-C131 may assign its end side circuit breaker as the preferred open point circuit breaker. The end side circuit breaker is the closest circuit breaker to the power supply, which for FdU 130 is circuit breaker CB 132 (indicated by shading in fig. 3)

If a primary open point ready-to-close signal is received indicating that the primary open point circuit breaker is ready to close, fdU-C131 may open the preferred open point (circuit breaker CB 132). The primary open point ready to close signal may be a signal provided by FdU-C associated with FdU-C that contains the primary open point circuit breaker (such as a high signal or a low signal that indicates whether the primary open point is ready to close). As previously described, circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. Thus, the primary open point ready-to-close signal may be provided by FdU-C141 to other FdU-C via common bus 180.

When FdU-C130 receives a primary open point ready close signal indicating that the primary open point breaker is ready to close, fdU-C131 may open its preferred open point breaker CB 132 and send a shared signal to the other FdU-cs 140, 150, 160 via common bus 180 indicating that FdU 130 has at least one open point breaker CB 132.

FdU-C141 may detect additional open point signals. In addition, fdU-C141 can also determine that circuit breaker CB 146 (as a primary open point circuit breaker) is also open, indicating that there are two open points in the power system architecture. The FdU-C141 may close the circuit breaker CB 146 upon determining that there are at least two open circuit points in the power system architecture 300 if the following conditions are met: (1) The presence of a voltage in the loop, such as indicated by a shared signal or determined via one or more sensors; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In the case where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop (such that it is not at the end of the loop where the power source is not present) and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that a voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may be closed and the primary open point ready closed signal may be high, indicating that the power source is providing power. After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU 140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After primary open point breaker 146 is closed, fdU-C131 can detect only one open point in the loop (breaker CB 132). After detecting only one open point, fdU-C131 may designate its open point (circuit breaker CB 132) as a primary open point circuit breaker if the following conditions are satisfied: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the interlocking of the preferred open point circuit breaker (for controlling the open and closed state of the circuit breaker) is healthy (in this scenario, circuit breaker CB 132 is the preferred open point circuit breaker); and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). After determining that these conditions are met, fdU-C131 may assign its preferred open point of disconnection (circuit breaker CB 132) as the primary open point circuit breaker. Once FdU-C131 assigns circuit breaker CB 132 as a primary open point circuit breaker, fdU 130 no longer has a preferred open point because it has been converted to a primary open point circuit breaker. At the completion of this process, the power system architecture has only one open point (circuit breaker CB 132), and FdU 130 includes a primary open point circuit breaker. The circuit breaker CB 146 of FdU 140 maintains the recovery point.

Manual preferred open point selection

Fig. 4 illustrates the operation of the power system architecture 400 (which may be compared to the power system architecture 100) when an operator selects a new preferred open point using a selector switch, such as a physical switch, or via other human-machine interface (HMI). In the example shown in fig. 4, fdU140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. The primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open as indicated by the dashed box. In normal operation, fdus 130 and 140 receive power from power supply a 110, and fdus 150 and 160 receive power from power supply B120. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point.

An operator, such as a technician or other individual, may manually select a new preferred open point within the power system architecture 400. In the example shown in fig. 4, the operator selects the circuit breaker CB 156 of the FdU 150 as the preferred open point via the selector switch. After the operator selects a new preferred open point, fdU-C151 may assign circuit breaker CB 156 as the preferred open point circuit breaker. Subsequently, if the primary open point ready close signal indicates that the primary open point breaker 146 can be closed and the shared signal indicates that there is a voltage in the loop, fdU-C151 may open the preferred open point breaker. In the event that the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that the primary open point breaker 146 can be closed and the shared signal indicates that there is a voltage in the loop, fdU-C151 opens its preferred open point breaker 156 and sends a shared signal to the other FdU-cs 130, 140, 160, for example, via the common bus, indicating that FdU 150 has at least one open point.

FdU-C141 may detect additional open point signals. In addition, fdU-C141 may also determine that breaker CB 146, which is a primary open point breaker, is also open, indicating that there are two open points in the power system architecture. The FdU-C141 may close the circuit breaker CB 146 upon determining that there are two open points in the power system architecture 400 if the following conditions are met: (1) The presence of a voltage in the loop, such as indicated by a shared signal or determined via one or more sensors; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In the case where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may be closed and the primary open point ready closed signal may be high, indicating that the power source is providing power. After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU 140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After primary open point breaker 146 is closed, fdU-C151 may detect only one open point in the loop (preferably open point breaker CB 156). After detecting only one open point, fdU-C151 may designate its preferred open point circuit breaker CB 156 as a primary open point circuit breaker if: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the preferred open point circuit breaker interlock is healthy (in this scenario, the circuit breaker CB 156 is a preferred open point circuit breaker); and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). After determining that the condition is met, fdU-C151 may assign its preferred open point of disconnection (circuit breaker CB 156) as the primary open point circuit breaker. Once FdU-C151 has assigned circuit breaker CB 156 as the primary open point circuit breaker, fdU 150 no longer has a preferred open point because it has been converted to a primary open point circuit breaker. At the completion of this process, the power system architecture has only one open point (circuit breaker CB 156), and FdU 150 includes a primary open point circuit breaker. The circuit breaker CB 146 of FdU 140 maintains the recovery point.

Loss of two power supplies

Fig. 5 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 500 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a single power source is not available. In the example shown in fig. 5, power system architecture 500 loses power source a 110 and power source B120, such as due to power source a and B failure and/or power system architecture 500 disconnects from power sources a and B. The loss of power supply a 110 and power supply B120 is illustrated by the shading of power supply a 110 and power supply B120. In normal operation, fdus 130 and 140 receive power from power supply a 110, and fdus 150 and 160 receive power from power supply B120.

As originally configured, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point.

After the loss of power supply A110, fdU-C131 may detect the loss of power based on its bus bar sensor. For example, bus bar sensor 139 may detect a loss of voltage (or current) on bus bar 193 because power from power supply a 110 is no longer received. FdU-C131 may determine that no power is available on bus 193 based on the signal provided by bus sensor 139.

After the loss of power supply B120, fdU-C161 may detect the loss of power supply based on its bus bar sensor. For example, bus sensor 169 may detect a loss of voltage (or current) on bus 196 because power from power supply B120 is no longer received. FdU-C161 may determine that no power is available on bus 196 based on the signal provided by bus sensor 169.

FdU-C141 and FdU-C151 also detect loss of power based on signals provided by their respective bus bar sensors 149 and 159.

Since no voltage is present in the loop, fdU-C141 can transmit the shared signal when the bus and line sensors are not indicating any voltage. Specifically, fdU-C141 may provide a primary open point ready to close signal via common bus 180 indicating that the primary open point (circuit breaker 146) is not ready to close. FdU-C131, 151, and 161 can detect that the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that the primary open point is not ready to close and therefore no action will be taken. Thus, when both power supplies fail, no self-healing logic operation is performed that changes the state of components within the power system architecture 500.

Automatic recovery-return to lost power

Fig. 6 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 600 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when the power supply resumes providing power. In the example shown in fig. 6, the power supply a 110 returns and starts to supply power after previously not supplying power. As configured in normal operation, fdU 130 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 132 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 132 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is a recovery point indicated by the hatching of the box.

Upon return of power supply A110, fdU-C131 may use line sensor 112 on its line 111 to detect return of power supply A110. When the detected power supply a has returned, fdU-C131 may start a resume timer. The recovery time may be 30 minutes or some other predefined time. The recovery time may be used to ensure that the returned power supply is stable before the power system architecture takes any self-healing action in response to the return of the power supply.

After the recovery timer expires or is ignored by the operator (such as when the operator does not wish the power system architecture to wait until the recovery time has completed), fdU-C131 may send a shared signal to all FUs-C indicating that power system architecture 600 may begin the recovery process. The shared signal may be sent via the common bus 180.

When the FdU-C141 detects a recovery signal, the FdU-C141 may convert the recovery point (circuit breaker CB 146) to a preferred open point circuit breaker. If the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that the primary open point (circuit breaker CB 132) is capable of closing, fdU-C141 may open the preferred open point circuit breaker 146. If the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that the primary open point is ready to close, fdU-C141 may close the preferred open point circuit breaker (circuit breaker CB 146) and transmit a shared signal indicating that the circuit breaker in FdU 140 is open.

The FdU-C131 may detect the additional open point signal provided by the FdU-C141 and may also determine that the circuit breaker CB 132, which is the primary open point circuit breaker, is also open, indicating that there are two open points in the power system architecture 600. FdU-C131 may close circuit breaker CB 132 upon determining that there are two open points in power system architecture 600 if the following conditions are met: (1) The presence of a voltage in the loop, such as indicated by a shared signal or determined via one or more sensors; (2) the circuit breaker CB 132 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. When FdU 130 is at one end of the loop and circuit breaker 132 is an end breaker, condition (1) will be met if line sensor 112 detects a voltage on line 111.

After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C131 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 132, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU130 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 132 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After the primary open point breaker 146 is closed, the FdU-C141 can detect only one open point in the loop (preferably the open point breaker CB 146). After detecting only one open point, fdU-C141 may designate its preferred open point breaker CB 146 as a primary open point breaker if: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the interlock of the preferred open point circuit breaker is healthy (in this example, circuit breaker CB 146 is a preferred open point circuit breaker); and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). After determining that the condition is met, fdU-C141 may assign its preferred open point of disconnection (circuit breaker CB 146) as the primary open point circuit breaker. Once FdU-C141 assigns circuit breaker CB 146 as the primary open point circuit breaker, fdU 140 no longer has a preferred open point because it has been converted to a primary open point circuit breaker. At the completion of this process, the power system architecture has only one open point (circuit breaker CB 146), and FdU 140 includes the primary open point circuit breaker. The circuit breaker CB 146 of the FdU 140 remains as a recovery point.

Cable failure between power supply and end feeder unit

Fig. 7 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 700 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a cable failure occurs between the power supply and the end feeder units. A cable fault illustrated by the broken line 702 of line 111 occurs between the power supply a 110 and the end feeder unit FdU 130. As configured in normal operation, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also a recovery point.

Upon a cable fault, a circuit breaker (not shown) at power supply a 110 may trip, and a circuit breaker 132 of FdU 130 may also trip and be locked due to a latching relay (LOR). FdU-C131 can detect loss of power because power will not be received from power supply a 110 due to a fault. For example, bus bar sensor 139 may detect a loss of voltage (or current) on bus bar 193 because power from power supply a 110 is no longer received. FdU-C131 may determine that no power is available on bus 193 based on the signal provided by bus sensor 139. FdU-C131 can also detect that its end side breaker (breaker 132) has tripped and in response send shared signals to other FdU-cs indicating that FdU 130 has at least one open circuit point. The shared signal may be transmitted via the common bus 180.

The FdU-C141 may detect the shared signal from the FdU-C131 and determine that there are at least two open points in the power system architecture loop based on determining that the circuit breaker CB 146, which is the primary open point circuit breaker, is also open. After determining that there are two open points in the power system architecture, fdU-C141 may close primary open point breaker 146 if: (1) a voltage is present in the loop; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In the case where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may close indicating that the power source is providing power.

After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After primary open point breaker 146 is closed, fdU-C131 can detect only one open point (breaker 132) in the loop. After detecting only one open point, fdU-C131 may designate circuit breaker 132 as a primary open point circuit breaker if: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) preferably the interlock of the open point circuit breaker is healthy; and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). In this scenario, conditions (i) and (iii) are satisfied, but condition (ii) is not satisfied because the interlock of the circuit breaker 132 is unhealthy. Thus, the FdU-C131 self-healing logic is not active because the primary open point is not determined.

Cable faults between feeder units

Fig. 8 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 800 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a cable failure occurs. The cable fault in fig. 8 is illustrated by a break 802 of line 113, which occurs between FdU 130 and FdU 140. As configured in normal operation, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also a recovery point.

Upon occurrence of a cable fault, the circuit breaker CB 136 of the FdU 130 and the circuit breaker CB 142 of the FdU 140 may trip due to the cable fault, and be locked due to a latching relay (LOR). FdU-C131 can detect that its circuit breaker (circuit breaker 136) has tripped and in response send a shared signal to other FdU-cs indicating that FdU 130 has at least one open circuit point. The shared signal may be transmitted via the common bus 180.

The FdU-C141 may detect the shared signal from the FdU-C131 and determine that there are at least two open points in the power system architecture loop based on determining that the circuit breaker CB 146, which is the primary open point circuit breaker, is also open. After determining that there are two open points in the power system architecture, fdU-C141 may close primary open point breaker 146 if (1) there is a voltage in the loop, such as indicated by a shared signal or determined via one or more sensors; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In the case where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may close indicating that the power source is providing power.

If the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU 140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) cease providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed). The FdU-C141 may send a shared signal to other FdU-cs that there is at least one open point (circuit breaker CB 142) at the FdU 140.

After primary open point breaker 146 is closed, fdU-C131 and FdU-C141 can detect two open points in the loop, breaker CB 136 of FdU 130 and breaker CB 142 of FdU 140. Since FdU-C131 and FdU-C141 each detect two open points, fdU-C cannot designate its open point as the primary open point because conditions (i) and (ii) among the following conditions are not satisfied: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the interlocking of the circuit breakers in fdus 130 and 140 is healthy; and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). Thus, the FdU-C131 and FdU-C141 self-healing logic is not active and the primary open point remains undetermined.

Cable faults between feeder units relate to primary open points

Fig. 9 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 900 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a cable fault illustrated by a broken line 902 of line 113 occurs between FdU130 and FdU 140. As configured in normal operation, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 142 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 142 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 142 is also a recovery point.

Upon occurrence of a cable fault, the circuit breaker CB 136 of the FdU130 and the circuit breaker CB 142 of the FdU 140 may trip due to the cable fault. FdU-C131 can detect that its circuit breaker (circuit breaker 136) has tripped and in response send a shared signal to other FdU-cs indicating that FdU130 has at least one open circuit point. The shared signal may be transmitted via the common bus 180.

FdU-C141 can detect that the circuit breaker CB 142, which is a primary open point circuit breaker, is locked due to a latching relay (LOR). Based on this detection that the primary open point circuit breaker CB 142 is locked, the FdU-C141 may send a shared signal to the other FdU-C indicating that the FdU 140 has at least one open point. FdU-C can also remove the primary open point state of the circuit breaker CB 142 and the recovery point state of the CB 142.

Based on the shared signal indicating that the circuit breakers in FdU 130 and FdU 140 are open, fdU-C131 and FdU-C141 can each detect two open points in the loop. In this aspect, fdU-C131 may detect the shared signal transmitted by FdU-C141, and FdU-C141 may detect the shared signal transmitted by FdU-C131. Further, fdU-C131 may determine that breaker CB 136 is open and FdU-C141 may determine that breaker 142 is open. However, fdU-C131 may not designate the circuit breaker CB 136 as the primary open point, and FdU-C141 may not designate the circuit breaker CB 142 as the primary open point because the conditions (i) and (ii) among the following conditions are not satisfied: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the interlocking of the circuit breakers in fdus 130 and 140 is healthy; and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). Thus, the FdU-C131 and FdU-C141 self-healing logic is not active and the primary open point is not determined.

Bus failure

Fig. 10 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 1000 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a bus failure occurs. The bus bar fault in fig. 10 is graphically represented by the graph of bus bar 193 in FdU 130. As configured in normal operation, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 142 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 142 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 142 is also a recovery point.

As a result of the occurrence of a bus fault, the circuit breakers CB 132, 134, and 136 tripped by FdU130 are locked due to the latching relay (LOR). FdU-C131 can detect that circuit breakers CB 132 and 136 have tripped and in response send shared signals to other FdU-cs indicating FdU130 has at least one open circuit point. The shared signal may be transmitted via the common bus 180.

The FdU-C141 may detect the shared signal from the FdU-C131 and determine that there are at least two open points in the power system architecture loop based on determining that the circuit breaker CB 142, which is the primary open point circuit breaker, is also open. After determining that there are at least two open points in the power system architecture 1000, the FdU-C141 may close the primary open point breaker 142 if: (1) a voltage is present in the loop; (2) the circuit breaker CB 142 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In an example where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may close indicating that the power source is providing power.

After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 142, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 142 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After primary open point circuit breaker 142 is closed, fdU-C131 can detect at least two open points in the circuit, circuit breakers CB 132 and 136. However, fdU-C131 may not be able to designate any open circuit breaker as the primary open point because conditions (i) and (ii) of the following conditions are not satisfied: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the interlock of the circuit breaker of FdU 130 is healthy; and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). Thus, the FdU-C131 self-healing logic is not active and the primary open point is not determined.

Fault of breaking of circuit breaker

Fig. 11 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 1100 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a circuit breaker fails to open. In the example shown in fig. 11, fdU140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. The primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open as indicated by the dashed box. In normal operation, fdus 130 and 140 receive power from power supply a 110, and fdus 150 and 160 receive power from power supply B120. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point.

An operator, such as a technician or other individual, may manually select a new preferred open circuit point within the power system architecture 1100. In the example shown in fig. 11, the operator selects the circuit breaker CB 136 of the FdU 130 as the preferred open point (shown by the darkened box) via the selector switch. After the operator selects a new preferred open point, fdU-C131 may assign circuit breaker CB 136 as the preferred open point circuit breaker. Subsequently, if the primary open point ready close signal indicates that the primary open point breaker 146 is capable of closing, the FdU-C131 may open the preferred open point breaker. In the event that the primary open point ready to close signal indicates that the primary open point breaker 146 is capable of closing, the FdU-C131 may attempt to open the preferred open point breaker 136, such as by using a trip coil. However, in the example shown in fig. 11, the circuit breaker CB 136 fails to open. FdU-C131 can detect a fault that the circuit breaker CB 136 opens and trigger an alarm indicating that the circuit breaker fails to open. The alarm may be a visual and/or audible alarm. In some instances, the alert may also include providing notification to an operator, a centralized monitoring system, or the like, so that the operator/technician can investigate the problem.

In this scenario, fdU-C146 may not close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 because condition (3) of the following conditions is not satisfied: (1) The presence of a voltage in the loop, such as indicated by a shared signal or determined via one or more sensors; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In an example where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may close indicating that the power source is providing power. Although the example shown in fig. 11 describes operation of the power system architecture 1100 when the circuit breaker fails to open during selection of a preferred open point, similar operations may occur if the circuit breaker fails to open during a recovery process or during other manual operations.

Failure of circuit breaker open-loss of power supply

Fig. 12 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 1200 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a circuit breaker fails to open when power is lost. In the example shown in fig. 12, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. The primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open as indicated by the dashed box. In normal operation, fdus 130 and 140 receive power from power supply a 110, and fdus 150 and 160 receive power from power supply B120. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point.

In the example shown in fig. 12, the power supply a 110 stops supplying power, as indicated by a hatched box. After the loss of power supply A110, fdU-C131 may detect the loss of power based on its bus bar sensor. For example, bus bar sensor 139 may detect a loss of voltage (or current) on bus bar 193 because power from power supply a 110 is no longer received. FdU-C131 may determine that no power is available on bus 193 based on the signal provided by bus sensor 139. In response to detecting a loss of power, fdU-C131 may assign its end side circuit breaker as the preferred open point circuit breaker. The end-side circuit breaker is the closest circuit breaker to the power supply, which for FdU 130 is circuit breaker CB 132 (indicated by shading in fig. 12)

If a primary open point ready to close signal is received, fdU-C131 may open the preferred open point (circuit breaker CB 132), meaning that the primary open point is able to close. The primary open point ready to close signal may be a signal provided by FdU-C associated with FdU-C that contains the primary open point circuit breaker (such as a high signal or a low signal that indicates whether the primary open point is ready to close). As previously described, circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. Thus, the primary open point ready-to-close signal may be provided by FdU-C141 to other FdU-C via common bus 180.

When FdU-C130 receives a primary open point ready to close signal indicating that the primary open point circuit breaker is ready to close, fdU-C131 can attempt to open the preferred open point circuit breaker 132, such as by using a first trip coil. However, in the example shown in fig. 12, the circuit breaker CB 132 fails to open using the first trip coil. FdU-C131 can use a first trip coil to detect that the circuit breaker CB 132 fails to open and attempt to use a second trip coil to open the preferred open point circuit breaker 132. In the event that the second trip coil also fails, fdU-C131 may detect the failure and instead open circuit breaker CB 136. Although only two trip coils are described, the circuit breaker may have any number of trip coils. FdU-C131 sends a shared signal to the other FdU-C indicating that FdU 130 has at least one open circuit point. The shared signal may be transmitted via the common bus 180.

FdU-C141 may detect additional open point signals. In addition, fdU-C141 can also determine that circuit breaker CB 146 (as a primary open point circuit breaker) is also open, indicating that there are two open points in the power system architecture. The FdU-C141 may close the circuit breaker CB 146 upon determining that there are two open points in the power system architecture 1200 if the following conditions are met: (1) a voltage is present in the loop; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In an example where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may be closed and the primary open point ready closed signal may be high, indicating that the power source is providing power. After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU 140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After primary open point breaker 146 is closed, fdU-C131 can detect only one open point in the loop (breaker CB 136). After detecting only one open point, fdU-C131 may designate its open point (circuit breaker CB 136) as a primary open point circuit breaker if the following conditions are met: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the interlocking of the preferred open point circuit breaker (for controlling the open and closed state of the circuit breaker) is healthy (in this scenario, circuit breaker CB 132 is the preferred open point circuit breaker); and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). After determining that these conditions are met, fdU-C131 may assign its preferred open point of disconnection (circuit breaker CB 136) as the primary open point circuit breaker. Once FdU-C131 assigns circuit breaker CB 136 as the primary open point circuit breaker, fdU 130 no longer has a preferred open point because it has been converted to a primary open point circuit breaker. At the completion of this process, the power system architecture has only one open point (circuit breaker CB 136) and FdU 130 includes the primary open point circuit breaker. The circuit breaker CB 146 of the FdU 140 remains as a recovery point.

Fault of closing of circuit breaker

Fig. 13 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 1300 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a circuit breaker, such as a primary open point circuit breaker, fails to close. In the example shown in fig. 13, fdU 130 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 132 is a primary open point circuit breaker. The primary open point circuit breaker CB 132 is initially open as indicated by the dashed box. In normal operation, all FdUs 130-160 receive power from power supply B120. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is selected as the recovery point.

In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is selected as a preferred open point, such as by a technician or operator, as indicated by the darkened box and the circuit breaker CB 146 is open. FdU-C131 can detect that both circuit breakers are now open and attempt to close primary open point circuit breaker 132 after the step of the operator manually selecting the preferred open point. However, the primary open point breaker 132 may not be able to close, which is detected by FdU-C131. In response, fdU-C131 may send a shared signal indicating that the primary open point failed to open on common bus 180 (primary open point failed to close signal). FdU-C131 may also generate a "fail to close" (FTC) alarm and indicate within the primary open point ready to close signal that the primary open point is not ready to close, thereby preventing the self-healing logic from continuing. In some examples, fdU-C131 may stop providing the primary open point ready to close signal indicating that the primary open point is not ready to close.

FdU-C141 may detect that the shared signal primary open point fails to close and that the primary open point fails to close the signal. In response to the received sharing signal, fdU-C141 may close the preferred open point breaker CB 146. The power system architecture 1300 then has one open point in the loop, circuit breaker CB 132—a circuit breaker that fails to close.

FdU-C failure

Fig. 14 illustrates the operation of the power system architecture 1400 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when FdU fails. In the example shown in fig. 14, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. The primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point.

In this example, fdU-C131 fails, as indicated by the shading of FdU-C131 in FIG. 14. FdU-C141 may detect a failure of FdU-C131. In this regard, fdU-C141 may be connected to FdU-C131 via a status communication line 185 (illustrated in FIG. 1C). When FdU-C131 fails, the status signal provided by FdU-C131 on status communication line 185 may no longer exist or indicate that FdU-C131 has failed. In some examples, fdU-C131 can provide its fault status on the communication line, such as via 185. In this regard, fdU-C131 may include fail-safe contacts such that upon a power outage or some type of internal failure, the contacts close, indicating that FdU-C has failed.

FdU-C141 may also detect a loss of power on bus 194 because power from power supply A110 does not flow through FdU 130 when FdU-C131 fails. Thus, fdU-C can operate as an end side FdU-C and its end side breaker (breaker CB 142) is assigned as the preferred open point. FdU-C141 may open the preferred open point if the primary open point ready close signal indicates that primary open point breaker 146 is ready to close. In the event that the primary open point breaker is ready to close, the FdU-C141 may open the preferred open point breaker CB 142 and send a shared signal to the other FdU-C indicating that it has at least one open point.

FdU-C141 can detect at least two open circuit points and close its primary open circuit point (circuit breaker CB 146) if the following conditions are met: (1) The presence of a voltage in the loop, such as indicated by a shared signal or determined via one or more sensors; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. If FdU is end FdU and the primary open point circuit breaker is end open point, the primary open point circuit breaker may close if there is a voltage (or current) at the line side voltage (or current) sensor.

After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed). After the preferred open point breaker 146 is closed, the FdU-C141 can detect only one open point in the loop, preferably the open point breaker 142. After detecting only one open point, fdU-C141 may designate its preferred open point breaker 142 as a primary open point breaker if: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the preferred open point circuit breaker interlock is healthy (in this example, circuit breaker CB 142 is a preferred open point circuit breaker); and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). After determining that the condition is met, fdU-C141 may assign its preferred open point of disconnection (circuit breaker CB 142) as the primary open point circuit breaker. Once FdU-C141 assigns circuit breaker CB 142 as a primary open point circuit breaker, fdU140 no longer has a preferred open point because it has been converted to a primary open point circuit breaker. At the completion of this process, the power system architecture has only one open point (circuit breaker CB 142), and FdU140 includes the primary open point circuit breaker. The circuit breaker CB 146 of the FdU140 remains as a recovery point.

Primary open point FdU-C and loss of single power supply in manual mode

Fig. 15 illustrates the operation of a power system architecture 1500 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a single power source is not available and the primary open point circuit breaker and recovery point are within FdU placed in manual mode. In the example shown in fig. 15, the power system architecture 1500 loses the power supply a 110. The loss of power supply a 110 is illustrated by the shading of power supply a 110. In normal operation, fdus 130 and 140 receive power from power supply a 110, and fdus 150 and 160 receive power from power supply B120.

As originally configured, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point. As described in more detail herein, the recovery point may be a circuit breaker that becomes a primary open point circuit breaker upon detection of a recovery signal, as described herein. Further, fdU 140 is in manual mode.

When FdU-C141 is placed in manual mode, fdU-C141 sets the primary open point ready to close share signal low or otherwise sets the primary open point ready to close share signal to indicate that primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is not ready to close.

After the loss of power supply A110, fdU-C131 may detect the loss of power based on its bus bar sensor. For example, bus bar sensor 139 may detect a loss of voltage (or current) on bus bar 193 because power from power supply a 110 is no longer received. FdU-C131 may determine that no power is available on bus 193 based on the signal provided by bus sensor 139. In response to detecting a loss of power, fdU-C131 may assign its end side circuit breaker as the preferred open point circuit breaker. The end-side circuit breaker is the closest circuit breaker to the power supply, which for FdU 130 is circuit breaker CB 132 (indicated by shading in fig. 15)

If a primary open point ready to close signal is received, fdU-C131 may open the preferred open point (circuit breaker CB 132), meaning that the primary open point is able to close. However, since FdU-C141 sets the primary open point ready close signal to indicate that primary open point breaker 146 is not ready to close, fdU-C131 may not open preferred open point breaker CB 132 and the self-healing logic may stop.

Once FdU-C141 is placed in an automatic mode, such as by an operator, fdU-C141 may set a primary open point ready to close shared signal to indicate that primary open point breaker CB 146 is ready to close. When FdU-C130 receives a primary open point ready close signal indicating that the primary open point breaker is ready to close, fdU-C131 may open its preferred open point breaker CB 132 and send a shared signal to the other FdU-cs 140, 150, 160 via common bus 180 indicating that FdU 130 has at least one open point-breaker CB 132.

The FdU-C141 may detect the additional open point signal. In addition, fdU-C141 can also determine that circuit breaker CB 146 (as a primary open point circuit breaker) is also open, indicating that there are two open points in the power system architecture. The FdU-C141 may close the circuit breaker CB 146 upon determining that there are two open points in the power system architecture 1500 if the following conditions are met: (1) a voltage is present in the loop; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In an example where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may close indicating that the power source is providing power. After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU 140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After primary open point breaker 146 is closed, fdU-C131 can detect only one open point in the loop (breaker CB 132). After detecting only one open point, fdU-C131 may designate its open point (circuit breaker CB 132) as a primary open point circuit breaker if the following conditions are satisfied: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) the interlocking of the preferred open point circuit breaker (for controlling the open and closed state of the circuit breaker) is healthy (in this scenario, circuit breaker CB 132 is the preferred open point circuit breaker); and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). After determining that these conditions are met, fdU-C131 may assign its preferred open point of disconnection (circuit breaker CB 132) as the primary open point circuit breaker. Once FdU-C131 assigns circuit breaker CB 132 as a primary open point circuit breaker, fdU 130 no longer has a preferred open point because it has been converted to a primary open point circuit breaker. At the completion of this process, the power system architecture has only one open point (circuit breaker CB 132), and FdU 130 includes a primary open point circuit breaker. The circuit breaker CB 146 of the FdU 140 remains as a recovery point.

Breaking circuit breaker in manual mode

Fig. 16 illustrates the operation of the power system architecture 1600 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when the circuit breaker is manually opened. In the example shown in fig. 16, the circuit breaker CB 132 is opened manually, such as by an operator, as shown by the darkened dashed line. In initial operation, fdus 130 and 140 receive power from power supply a 110, and fdus 150 and 160 receive power from power supply B120.

As originally configured, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point. As described in more detail herein, the recovery point may be a circuit breaker that becomes a primary open point circuit breaker upon detection of a recovery signal, as described herein. Further, fdU 130 is in manual mode.

When the circuit breaker CB 132 is manually opened, the FdU-C131 may send a shared signal to the other FdU-cs 140, 150, 160 via the common bus 180 indicating that the FdU 130 has at least one open point—the circuit breaker CB 132.

The FdU-C141 may detect the additional open point signal. In addition, fdU-C141 can also determine that circuit breaker CB 146 (as a primary open point circuit breaker) is also open, indicating that there are two open points in the power system architecture. The FdU-C141 may close the circuit breaker CB 146 upon determining that there are two open points in the power system architecture 1600 if the following conditions are met: (1) The presence of a voltage in the loop, such as indicated by a shared signal or determined via one or more sensors; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In an example where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may close indicating that the power source is providing power. After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU 140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After primary open point breaker 146 is closed, fdU-C131 can detect only one open point in the loop (breaker CB 132). After detecting only one open point, fdU-C131 may designate circuit breaker 132 as a primary open point circuit breaker if: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) preferably the interlock of the open point circuit breaker is healthy; and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). In this scenario, conditions (i) and (iii) are satisfied, but condition (ii) is not satisfied, because the interlock of the circuit breaker 132 is unhealthy because the FdU 130 is in manual mode. Thus, the FdU-C131 self-healing logic is not active because the primary open point is not determined. However, once the operator places FdU 130 in the automatic mode, condition (ii) will be satisfied, and FdU-C131 can designate its open point (circuit breaker CB 132) as a primary open point circuit breaker. In addition, fdU-C131 may assign the primary open point as a new recovery point.

Selecting a primary open point circuit breaker in manual mode

Fig. 17 illustrates the operation of the power system architecture 1700 that may be compared to the power system architecture 100 when a primary open point circuit breaker is manually selected. In the example shown in fig. 17, the circuit breaker CB 156 of the FdU 150 is selected as a preferred open point circuit breaker, such as by an operator, as shown by the darkened line. In initial operation, fdus 130 and 140 receive power from power supply a 110, and fdus 150 and 160 receive power from power supply B120.

As originally configured, fdU 140 is a primary FdU and circuit breaker CB 146 is a primary open point circuit breaker. As a primary open point, the circuit breaker CB 146 is initially open, as indicated by the dashed box. In this example, the circuit breaker CB 146 is also selected as the recovery point. Further, fdU 150 is in manual mode.

In the example of fig. 17, fdU 150 is placed in manual mode and circuit breaker CB 156 is selected by the operator as the preferred open point circuit breaker. When FdU 150 is in manual mode, fdU-C151 cannot open circuit breaker CB 156. However, once the operator returns FdU 150 to the automatic mode, fdU-C151 can open the preferred open point breaker 156. The FdU-C151 may send a shared signal to the other FdU-cs 130, 140, 160 via the common bus 180 indicating that the FdU 150 has at least one open point-the circuit breaker CB 156.

FdU-C141 may detect an additional open-point signal. In addition, fdU-C141 can also determine that circuit breaker CB 146 (as a primary open point circuit breaker) is also open, indicating that there are two open points in the power system architecture. FdU-C141 may close circuit breaker CB 146 when it is determined that there are two open points in power system architecture 1700 if the following conditions are met: (1) a voltage is present in the loop; (2) the circuit breaker CB 146 interlock is healthy; and (3) there are at least two open points in the loop. In an example where the primary FdU is at the other end of the loop and the primary open point circuit breaker is the last circuit breaker before the power source, if FdU-C determines that voltage (or current) is being detected at the line sensor, the primary open point circuit breaker may close indicating that the power source is providing power. After determining that the above condition is met, fdU-C141 may (i) close primary open point circuit breaker CB 146, (ii) clear primary open point status from FdU 140 once primary open point circuit breaker CB 146 is closed, and (iii) stop providing primary open point ready close signals (or provide primary open point ready close signals indicating that the primary open point has been closed or is not ready to be closed).

After primary open point breaker 146 is closed, fdU-C151 can detect only one open point in the loop (breaker CB 156). After detecting only one open point, fdU-C151 may designate circuit breaker CB 156 as a primary open point circuit breaker if: (i) Only one open point in the circuit, (ii) it is preferable that the interlock of the open point circuit breaker is healthy (i.e., circuit breaker CB 156); and (iii) the primary open point ready-to-close signal indicates that there is no primary open point ready-to-close (e.g., the primary open point ready-to-close signal is low or indicates that the primary open point has been closed). Upon determining that the condition is satisfied, fdU-C151 may designate its open point (circuit breaker CB 156) as a primary open point circuit breaker. In addition, fdU-C151 may assign the primary open point as a new recovery point.

Although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular examples, it is to be understood that these examples are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative examples and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology as defined by the appended claims. For example, while exemplary operations are shown using certain components of the power system architecture, it should be understood that similar operations may be performed by similar components of the power system architecture.

The foregoing alternative examples are not mutually exclusive, unless otherwise specified, but may be implemented in various combinations to achieve unique advantages. As these and other variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be utilized without departing from the subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoing description of the examples should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation of the subject matter defined by the claims. In addition, the provision of examples described herein, and terms that are expressed as "such as," "including," etc., should not be construed as limiting the claimed subject matter to a particular example; rather, these examples are intended to illustrate only one of many possible embodiments. Furthermore, the same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

Claims

1. A power system architecture, comprising:

a plurality of feeder units connected together in a daisy chain, each of the plurality of feeder units comprising a voltage bus, two or more circuit breakers and a feeder unit controller; and

a common bus communicatively connecting feeder unit controllers of the plurality of feeder units together, wherein each of the feeder unit controllers is connected to the common bus via one or more communication lines,

Wherein the feeder unit controller of each of the plurality of feeder units is configured to control operation of the two or more circuit breakers of that feeder unit.

2. The power system architecture of claim 1, wherein the plurality of feeder units comprises:

a first feeder unit connected to a first power supply at a first end of the daisy chain;

a second feeder unit connected to a second power supply at a second end of the daisy chain; and

one or more internal feeder units located between the first feeder unit and the second feeder unit, wherein each of the one or more internal feeder units is connected to an adjacent feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units.

3. The power system architecture of claim 2, further comprising the first power source and the second power source.

4. The power system architecture of claim 2, wherein the feeder cell controller of each of the plurality of feeder cells is connected to the feeder cell controller of an adjacent feeder cell via one or more status communication lines.

5. The power system architecture of claim 4, wherein each feeder unit controller is configured to provide status information indicative of an operational status of the feeder unit controller via the one or more status communication lines.

6. The power system architecture of claim 5, wherein, for each feeder unit, a first of the two or more circuit breakers is connected to a first side of the voltage bus and a second of the two or more circuit breakers is connected to a second side of the voltage bus.

7. The power system architecture of claim 6, wherein each feeder unit includes a voltage sensor configured to sense a voltage on a voltage bus of the feeder unit.

8. The power system architecture of claim 7, wherein the first feeder unit includes a line sensor configured to detect a voltage on a line connecting the first power source to the first feeder unit.

9. The power system architecture of claim 8, wherein the second feeder unit includes a line sensor configured to detect a voltage on a line connecting the second power source to the second feeder unit.

10. The power system architecture of claim 2, wherein the feeder unit controller of each of the plurality of feeder units is configured to control operation of the two or more circuit breakers of that feeder unit, the controlling comprising initiating opening or closing of at least one of the two or more circuit breakers.

11. The power system architecture of claim 2, wherein the power system architecture is operating abnormally when the first feeder unit fails to detect power from the first power source and/or the second feeder unit fails to detect power from the second power source.

12. The power system architecture of claim 1, wherein in normal operation a single circuit breaker is assigned as a primary open point circuit breaker by a feeder unit controller of a feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker.

13. The power system architecture of claim 12, wherein a feeder unit controller of the feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to send a first shared signal on the common bus indicating that the primary open point circuit breaker is ready to close.

14. The power system architecture of claim 13, wherein a feeder unit controller of each of the plurality of feeder units other than the feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to send a second shared signal on the common bus indicating when one of the two or more circuit breakers of that feeder unit is open.

15. The power system architecture of claim 14, wherein a feeder unit controller of the feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to detect the second shared signal on the common bus.

16. The power system architecture of claim 15, wherein a feeder unit controller of the feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to initiate closing of the primary open point circuit breaker upon detection of the second shared signal.

17. The power system architecture of claim 16, wherein a feeder unit controller of the feeder unit having the primary open point circuit breaker is configured to send a third shared signal on the common bus indicating that the primary open point circuit breaker is not ready to close or has closed.

18. The power system architecture of claim 17, wherein a feeder unit controller of a feeder unit having an open circuit breaker is configured to assign the open circuit breaker as the primary open point breaker after detecting the third shared signal.

19. The power system architecture of claim 1, wherein the plurality of feeder units are operable in manual or automatic mode.

20. The power system architecture of claim 1, wherein the plurality of feeder units operate independently.